Condensate Removal By Means Of Condensate Evaporation In A Refrigeration Device

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a condensate evaporator for a cooling device that comprises at least an evaporator and a compressor ( 10 ). The condensate evaporator comprises a receiving space ( 12 ) for the condensed water that occurs in the cooling device and is to be evaporated. The receiving space ( 12 ) is arranged in thermal contact with the compressor ( 10 ) and is heated by the waste heat of the compressor ( 10 ) in order to generate water vapor from the condensed water.

The invention relates to a cooling device, in particular for an electrical cabinet, having a refrigeration circuit that comprises an evaporator, a condenser, and a compressor, the condensed water that occurs being evaporated in a condensate evaporator having a condensed water receiving space.

Cooling devices of this kind are used, for example, for climate control of electrical cabinets in which a number of electronic components, which discharge considerable dissipated power in the form of heat, are accommodated. The condensed water occurring at the evaporator drips off and is caught in a condensate collection container arranged therebeneath. It is known to convey the condensed water, using a pump device, out of the condensate collection container to an electrically heated condensate evaporator in which the condensate is evaporated and discharged as water vapor to the environment.

The fact that the fill limit for condensed water in the condensate collection container has been reached is ascertained by way of a sensor device or a float switch, which switches on both the pump device and the heating system in the condensate evaporator. As soon as the condensate level in the condensate collection container drops below a predetermined fill level, both the pump device and the heating system in the condensate evaporator are switched off. This solution is technically very complex and thus expensive to implement, and furthermore requires additional energy for electrical heating of the condensate evaporator.

In addition to condensate evaporation using electrical heating, the use of heat from hot gas (high-pressure line of the refrigerant circuit) is also known.

It is an object of the invention to describe a form of condensate removal by means of condensate evaporation, in particular in a cooling device, in which the condensate that occurs is evaporated with the least possible technical complexity, without additional energy. In addition, the condensate evaporator used for this is intended to be of the simplest possible construction.

In accordance therewith, provision is made in the context of the condensate evaporator according to the present invention that the receiving space is arranged in thermal contact with the compressor; and in order to generate water vapor, the condensate is heated by the waste heat of the compressor. According to the present invention, therefore, the waste heat of the compressor is used to heat and to evaporate the condensed water present in the receiving space. The use of additional energy, for example for an electrically operated heating system, is omitted. Instead, the waste heat that is in any case produced by the compressor of the cooling unit is used for evaporation.

Operating costs can thus be decreased by using the condensate evaporator according to the present invention. In addition, complex design of a heating system operated with additional energy is not necessary. The condensate evaporator according to the present invention is thus, overall, economical in terms of manufacture and operation.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the receiving space can abut against the enveloping surface of the compressor and can at least partly fit around it. This on the one hand ensures that good thermal contact exists between the compressor and the receiving space. On the other hand, a particularly compact configuration is achieved.

In particularly simple fashion, the receiving space can be embodied as a collection trough. The collection trough can comprise a substantially rectangular cross section open toward the top, and a thin inner wall abutting against the enveloping surface of the compressor, a bottom, and an outer wall. A configuration of this kind can be manufactured very easily, for example, as an injection-molded plastic part. The thinner the configuration of the inner wall abutting against the enveloping surface of the compressor, the better the heat transfer from the compressor to the condensed water that is located in the receiving space and is to be evaporated.

In order to improve even further the heat transfer from the compressor to the condensed water present in the receiving space, a thermally conductive paste can be introduced between the inner wall of the receiving space and the enveloping surface of the compressor.

According to a preferred embodiment, the condensate occurring at the evaporator of the cooling unit, for example due to a temperature falling below the dew point, can be introduced via an inflow hose into the receiving space of the condensate evaporator. The condensate collected at the evaporator in a suitable vessel can flow by gravity, i.e. without the use of an electrically operated pump, into the receiving space of the condensate evaporator.

In order to enable optimized inflow, the inflow hose can be held by a holding element in a manner oriented substantially perpendicular to the bottom of the receiving space. The holding element can be, in particular, a cross-type fitting or a suitable rib arrangement shaped onto the bottom of the receiving space.

In order to prevent uncontrolled overflow of condensed water if it accumulates excessively in the receiving space, a through hole, onto which an overflow tube projecting into the receiving space is shaped, can be embodied on the bottom of the receiving space. In this context, the height of the overflow tube above the bottom of the receiving space is less than the height of the inner or outer wall of the receiving space.

To prevent the condensed water that flows out via the overflow tube from running out in uncontrolled fashion, a tubular fitting onto which a suitable runoff hose can be attached can be shaped onto the through hole, on the lower side of the bottom facing away from the receiving space.

The receiving space can comprise at least one region having an enlarged cross section, in which region the holding element of the inflow hose, and/or the overflow tube, are shaped on. The result of this feature is that substantially continuous heat transfer to the condensed water surrounding the enveloping surface of the compressor is achieved, and additional devices in the region do not exert an interfering influence on evaporation. In addition, the enlarged region provides comfortable handling when attaching the inflow hose onto the holding element, and/or when attaching the runoff hose onto the tubular fitting of the overflow tube.

In order to facilitate bendability of the receiving space for mounting onto the enveloping surface of an evaporator, the receiving space can comprise at least one region having a constricted cross section.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the receiving space can at least partly fit around the enveloping surface of the compressor in approximately C-shaped fashion, the free ends of the receiving space being closed off by terminating walls.

The free ends of the receiving space can be secured with respect to the enveloping surface of the compressor by means of a clamping element. The clamping element, which in particular can be a spring clip, can engage onto extensions that are shaped onto the free ends of the receiving space.

The invention further describes a cooling device, in particular for an electrical cabinet, having a refrigeration circuit that comprises an evaporator, a condenser, and a compressor, the condensed water being introduced into the condensate evaporator according to the present invention that is arranged in thermal contact with the compressor.

The invention will be explained below in further detail with reference to an exemplifying embodiment depicted in the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a condensate evaporator;

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the condensate evaporator according to FIG. 1, a spring clip being mounted at the free ends;

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the condensate evaporator according to FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of a compressor on which the condensate evaporator according to FIGS. 1 to 3 is mounted;

FIG. 5 is a schematic front view of the compressor according to FIG. 4, on which the condensate evaporator according to FIGS. 1 to 3 is mounted; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of the compressor according to FIGS. 4 and 5, on which the condensate evaporator according to FIGS. 1 to 3 is mounted.

FIG. 1 shows a condensate evaporator as an injection-molded plastic part embodied in one piece. The condensate evaporator comprises a receiving space 12 that is embodied as a substantially C-shaped curved collection trough. The element 12 may also be referred to as a container defining a receiving space therein. Receiving space 12 has a substantially rectangular cross section open toward the top, and a thin inner wall 16, a bottom 18, and an outer wall 20. Receiving space 12 can be connected to an inflow hose (not shown) that introduces into receiving space 12 the condensed water that occurs at an evaporator (not shown). A holding element 22 is shaped for this purpose onto bottom 18 of collection space 12. Holding element 22 is embodied as a cross-type fitting, so that when the inflow hose is attached, condensed water can flow into receiving space 12 between the ribs of the cross-type fitting that intersect in cross-shaped fashion.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the condensate evaporator according to FIG. 1. Bottom 18 of receiving space 12 comprises a through hole 24 onto which is shaped an overflow tube 26 projecting into receiving space 12.

The height of overflow tube 26 above bottom 18 of receiving space 12 is less than the height of inner wall 16 or outer wall 20 of receiving space 12 above bottom 18.

Receiving space 12 comprises a region 32 having an enlarged cross section. Region 32 is formed by a protuberance of outer wall 20. Arranged in region 32 are on the one hand holding element 22 for attachment of the inflow hose, and on the other hand overflow tube 26 that is shaped onto through hole 24.

Receiving space 12 furthermore comprises a region 34 having a constricted cross section. This constricted cross section serves for flexible bending of the C-shaped receiving space 12 for installation onto a compressor (not shown in FIG. 2).

The C-shaped receiving space 12 forms two free ends 36 a and 36 b. Free end 36 a is closed off by a terminating wall 38 a, and free end 36 b by a terminating wall 38 b.

Shaped onto free ends 36 a and 36 b of receiving space 12, and prolonging terminating walls 38 a and 38 b, are respective extensions 42 a and 42 b onto which a clamping element 40, embodied as a spring clip, engages. The clip-shaped clamping element 40 is shaped from a resilient metal sheet and has two ends 44 a and 44 b that are bent into an S- or Z-shape. End 44 a of clamping element 40 engages behind extension 42 a at free end 36 a of receiving space 12, whereas end 44 b of clamping element 40 engages behind extension 42 b at free end 36 b of receiving space 12.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the condensate evaporator according to FIGS. 1 and 2.

It is evident from FIG. 3 that region 32 having the enlarged cross section is mounted laterally on receiving space 12. The bottom of region 32 is offset upward in stepped fashion with respect to bottom 18 of receiving space 12.

A tubular fitting 30 for receiving a runoff hose (not shown) is shaped onto passthrough hole 24 on the lower side 28, facing away from receiving space 12 and region 32, of the bottom of region 32 and of bottom 18 of the receiving space.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of a compressor 10 on which the condensate evaporator according to FIGS. 1 to 3 is mounted. FIG. 5 is a front view of compressor 10 shown in FIG. 4.

Compressor 10 has a substantially cylindrical enveloping surface 14. A mist separator 46 is mounted on the front side of compressor 10. Mist separator 46 is connected via an elbow 48 to compressor 10.

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of compressor 10 according to FIGS. 4 and 5.

Receiving space 12 of the condensate evaporator is arranged in thermal contact with compressor 10, receiving space 12 being abutted against enveloping surface 14 of the compressor. Receiving space 12, embodied as a collection trough, abuts with its thin inner wall 16 directly against enveloping surface 14 of compressor 10. A thermally conductive paste (not shown) can additionally be introduced between enveloping surface 14 of compressor 10 and inner wall 16 of receiving space 12.

Receiving space 12 fits around enveloping surface 14 of compressor 10 in approximately C-shaped fashion, free ends 36 a and 36 b of receiving space 12 being secured by means of clamping element 40 with respect to enveloping surface 14 of the compressor.

Clamping element 40 has, in the region of elbow 48, a cutout 50 through which elbow 48 extends from compressor 10 to mist separator 46.

Compressor 10 shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 is part of a cooling device (not shown), in particular for an electrical cabinet. The refrigeration circuit of a cooling device of this kind comprises, in addition to compressor 10, also at least an evaporator and a condenser. The condensed water that occurs at the evaporator is introduced into the condensate evaporator shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, where it is heated by the waste heat of compressor 10 and thereby evaporated. 

1-13. (canceled) 14: A condensate evaporator for a cooling device, the cooling device including a compressor having an enveloping surface, the condensate evaporator comprising: a container defining a receiving space therein for receiving condensed water that condenses in the cooling device and is to be evaporated, the container and the receiving space being generally C-shaped; the container including a generally C-shaped inner wall for engaging the enveloping surface of the compressor, and first and second terminating walls defining free ends of the generally C-shaped container; and a clamp configured to secure the container about the enveloping surface of the container so that the container and the receiving space can be held in thermal contact with the compressor to be heated by waste heat of the compressor in order to evaporate condensed water received in the receiving space. 15: The condensate evaporator according to claim 14, wherein: the container comprises a collection trough having a substantially rectangular cross-section defined by the inner wall, a bottom, and an outer wall, the collection trough having an open top. 16: The condensate evaporator according to claim 14, further comprising: an inlet hose connector configured to connect an inlet hose to direct condensed water into the receiving space. 17: The condensate evaporator according to claim 14, wherein: the container includes a bottom; and further comprising a cross-shape fitting extending upward from and substantially perpendicular to the bottom of the container into the receiving space, the cross-shape fitting configured to hold in place an inlet hose received over the cross-shape fitting. 18: The condensate evaporator according to claim 14, wherein: the container includes the inner wall, an outer wall, and a bottom, the bottom having a through hole; and further comprising an overflow tube communicated with the through hole and projecting upward into the receiving space to a height above the bottom less than a height of the inner wall or the outer wall above the bottom. 19: The condensate evaporator according to claim 18, further comprising: a tubular fitting communicated with the through hole and projecting downward from the bottom of the container, for receiving a runoff hose. 20: The condensate evaporator according to claim 18, wherein: the container includes at least one enlarged region defining an enlarged cross-section of the receiving space; and the overflow tube is located in the enlarged region. 21: The condensate evaporator according to claim 17, wherein: the container includes at least one enlarged region defining an enlarged cross-section of the receiving space; and the cross-shape fitting is located in the enlarged region. 22: The condensate evaporator according to claim 14, wherein: the container comprises at least one region having a constricted cross-section in order to increase bendability. 23: The condensate evaporator according to claim 14, further comprising: first and second extensions projecting from the free ends of the container; and wherein the clamp comprises a spring clip engageable with the first and second extensions. 24: The condensate evaporator of claim 14, in combination with the compressor, wherein: the container is arranged with the inner wall in thermal contact with the enveloping surface of the compressor. 25: The combination of claim 24, further comprising: a thermally conductive paste between the inner wall of the container and the enveloping surface of the compressor. 26: The combination of claim 24, wherein: the inner wall of the container abuts against the enveloping surface of the compressor and at least partly fits around the compressor. 27: A condensate evaporator assembly for a cooling device, comprising: a compressor having a generally cylindrical outer surface; a condensate evaporator including an inner wall wrapping partly around the generally cylindrical outer surface of the compressor, the condensate evaporator further including a bottom wall, an outer wall, and two terminating walls, all of the walls defining therebetween a receiving space of the condensate evaporator, the condensate evaporator having first and second free ends; and a connector extending between the free ends of the condensate evaporator and holding the condensate evaporator in place around and in thermal contact with the generally cylindrical outer surface of the compressor. 28: The condensate evaporator assembly of claim 27, wherein: the condensate evaporator and the receiving space are generally C-shaped. 29: The condensate evaporator assembly of claim 27, wherein: the connector comprises a spring. 30: The condensate evaporator assembly of claim 27, wherein: the condensate evaporator further comprises first and second extensions projecting from the first and second free ends, respectively; and the connector comprises a spring clip engageable with the first and second extensions. 31: The condensate evaporator assembly of claim 27, further comprising: a thermally conductive paste between the inner wall of the condensate evaporator and the cylindrical outer surface of the compressor. 32: The condensate evaporator assembly of claim 27, wherein: the condensate evaporator comprises at least one region having a reduced cross-section so that the condensate evaporator can flex at the reduced cross-section to allow the connector to pull the free ends together to hold the condensate evaporator in place on the condenser. 33: The condensate evaporator assembly of claim 27, wherein: the receiving space includes at least one enlarged region having an enlarged cross-section; and the condensate evaporator further comprises: an inlet hose connector located in the enlarged region; and an overflow outlet located in the enlarged region. 